FRANKFORT, Ky. – Governor Ernie Fletcher visited Lexington this afternoon and reaffirmed his steadfast commitment to healthy people and strong communities. During a ceremony at Shillito Park, the Governor presented a ceremonial Transportation Enhancement Fund check of $426,000 for pedestrian path and bike trail improvements along the Healthway Trail System.

“This funding helps fulfill my vision of providing healthy lifestyle options in neighborhoods around the state,” said Governor Fletcher. “As people are becoming more health conscious, we are taking innovative approaches to make the improvements necessary to provide avenues to exercise outdoors. This encourages healthy living and improves the quality of life for people in Lexington.”

Transportation Enhancement Funds will be used on the following portions of the Healthway Trail System:

Neighborhood Connector Portion: Proposed half mile trail beginning at an existing trail on Keithshire Way, traveling west along the south side of Lexington Christian Academy to the Stonewall Neighborhood at Monticello Blvd. At that point the trail will provide access into Shillito Park via the proposed Shillito Park Trail.

Lafayette Primary Phase I: This is the primary trail in the Greenway Master Plan that extends from Jessamine County to downtown Lexington. This particular section is one mile and will connect to the South Elkhorn Trail at the entrance to Shillito Park. It will stretch north through the park along Shillito Park Road, ending at the northern entrance to the park, where users may then travel west or east via the Reynolds Road/Wellington Way Trail.

“I am so pleased to see these funds go to such a worthy project,” said Sen. Alice Forgy Kerr (R-Lexington). “Healthy people make up a healthy community.”

“I am extremely happy to work with Senator Kerr on this important pedestrian pathway that will help promote healthier lifestyles in our community,” said Rep. Stan Lee (R-Lexington).

The transportation-related projects are funded through the federal government’s Transportation Enhancement program also known as TE. Kentucky’s share of federal TE funds is administered by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC).

The KYTC originally had about $12 million for TE projects. That amount was increased by $2 million earlier this year when the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) gave the cabinet additional obligation authority based on how efficiently the administration allocated its federal funding during the past fiscal year.

“The TE program provides us with the opportunity to undertake innovative transportation-related projects that really make a huge difference on the local level,” said Transportation Secretary Bill Nighbert. “The Governor is to be commended for moving this project forward.”

Communities and organizations across the state submitted more than $100 million in requests for TE projects. Complete information on the program is available online at http://www.tea21.ky.gov.